Syracuse Crunch tame Wolfpack in rare midweek morning matinee

By Erik Erlendsson | @Erik_Erlendsson | Like us on Facebook
November 20, 2019

The Syracuse Crunch rolled past the Hartford Wolf Pack, 3-1, Wednesday at the XL Center.

Gemel Smith recorded a multi-point game with two assists, while Mitchell Stephens, Dennis Yan and Taylor Raddysh all found the back of the net for the Crunch. The win advances the team to 9-6-3-0 on the season.

Goaltender Scott Wedgewood turned aside 25-of-26 shots in victory between the pipes for the Crunch. Igor Shesterkin stopped 21-of-24 in net for the Wolf Pack. The Crunch were unable to convert on two power play opportunities, but the penalty kill was a perfect 4-for-4.

Full recap and goal videos below.

After a scoreless first period, the Crunch opened scoring with two goals just 51 seconds apart in the middle stanza.

At the 14:17 mark, Smith battled for the puck along the end boards and sent it out front for Stephens to fire in. Alex Barre-Boulet earned the secondary assist.

Leave him alone out front and you're gonna pay.#SYRvsHFD pic.twitter.com/YriNpPlQ1h

— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) November 20, 2019

Less than a minute later, Otto Somppi centered the puck for Yan to chip into a yawning net. Dominik Masin recorded a point on the play.

That, kids, is how you capitalize on opportunities.#SYRvsHFD pic.twitter.com/nBmshKkjfj

— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) November 20, 2019

Syracuse built a three-goal lead 4:47 into the final frame. Ben Thomas skated the puck down the left wing and passed over to Smith in the slot. He dished a backdoor feed for Raddysh to finish off.

That passing ?#SYRvsHFD pic.twitter.com/X9kNoDuwYm

— Syracuse Crunch (@Syracu
seCrunch) November 20, 2019

The Wolf Pack stole one back 30 seconds later when Lias Andersson stuffed one home with the help of Phil Di Giuseppe and Steven Fogarty during a scramble in front. Syracuse halted the late comeback effort and served Hartford their first regulation loss on home ice this season.

The Crunch and Wolf Pack rematch in Syracuse on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Crunchables: Dennis Yan has goals in back-to-back games.